PSALM 139:14 FOR I AM FEARFULLY AND WONDERFULLY MADE.....
Lupus Awareness
On January 9th, 2018, KAPPA GAMMA SIGMA SORORITY INC. Found Principle ,
Mary Duncan along with two other KAPPA GAMMA SIGMA SORORITY INC.
Board Members voted and adopted Lupus Awareness as our National Philanthropy
after the initiative was researched by our Board of Trustees.
The KAPPA GAMMA SIGMA SORORITY INC. has been registered as Volunteers
with several Organizations that support Lupus Awareness, and also enrolled in the
Lupus Research Alliance. The purpose of Lupus Research Alliance was created
to improve treatment while working toward a cure. We are very excited about this
opportunity and we are looking forward to raising awareness and funds to support
this organization in educating the public as well as individuals amongst our
Sisterhood that has been affected by this disease.
Mary Duncan our Found Principal reflects on the impact of the day we adopted Lupus Awareness as our National Philanthropy: Knowing the impact that we could have on women all over the world, besides the ones we come in contact with Daily, I never imagined that from Praying and researching we would go on to be where we are now, actually being apart of the solution. [...] Thinking how emotional I was and knowing the Women of God I have the pleasure of sitting amongst , we were in for a POWERFUL MOVEMENT. As I made the final decision , so many ran though my mind , but 3 IMPARTICULAR that could be a spokesman for KAPPA GAMMA SIGMA SORORITY INC. , GLORIA SMITH (my mom) NEFERTITI FISHER , and TONIE MCDONALD. I know we are doing the right thing, listening to the Lord and following the path that he intended us to be on. Throughout the reminder of this year, we will not only link up with others but we will host our own LUPUS AWARENESS EVENTS AND FUNDRAISERS. I am so full right now because its not just talk its personal, Just thinking in reverence of all the KAPPA GAMMA SIGMA SORORS, and those to come, I know the plan has to manifest because of what I believe, Jeremiah 29:11 For I know the plans think toward you......
MAY IS AWARENESS MONTH:
The Lupus Research Alliance has dedicated the whole month of May to Lupus Awareness. We encourage all chapters to take advantage of this opportunity to educate others about Lupus. Here are some of the ideas KAPPA GAMMA SIGMA SORORITY INC. will implement for 2018:
• Wear PURPLE ribbons, bracelets, or T-shirts throughout the whole month of May.
• Pass out fact sheets to women in our Communities and Events we attend.
• Host our own WALK FOR LUPUS and PURPLE JAMMIE NIGHT
• Host an Awareness event, and an invite a local Lupus Survivor as the guest speaker.
• Hold fundraising events to raise money for Lupus Research Alliance.
You can learn more about these events on our website in our Upcoming event section.
What is Lupus?
It is a Chronic and complex autoimmune disease, lupus can affect the joints, skin, brain, lungs, kidneys, and blood vessels, causing widespread inflammation and tissue damage in the affected organ. Here are some basic facts about the disease, its symptoms, diagnosis and treatment.
Symptoms Of Lupus
The most common systems of lupus are extreme fatigue, malar rash, joint swelling and unexplained fevers.
Fatigue
50-90% of people with lupus identify fatigue as one of their primary symptoms. The severe fatigue of lupus seems to be caused by many factors including disease activity, anxiety disorders, sleep disturbances, vitamin D deficiency, and low levels of exercise. Scientists differ on whether there is also a relationship between fatigue and the disease itself or the treatments used to manage lupus.
No matter the cause, it’s clear that fatigue can significantly impact patients’ quality of life, including lessening the ability to function at home and at work. Two studies conducted through a clinical trial network established by the Lupus Research Alliance, are looking at how to better measure fatigue objectively.
Malar Rash
About half of people with lupus experience a characteristic red “malar” rash or color change that may appear across the cheeks and bridge of the nose in the shape of a butterfly. The rash can last from days to weeks and is sometimes painful or itchy. Rashes may also occur on the face and ears, upper arms, shoulders, chest, & hands and other areas exposed to the sun.
Because many people with lupus are sensitive to sunlight (called photosensitivity), skin rashes often first develop or worsen after being out in the sun. Some people find that the appearance of the butterfly rash is a sign of an oncoming disease flare.
Joint Pain and Swelling
Up to 90 percent of people with lupus will have arthritis which is defined as inflammation or swelling of the joint lining. The most common symptoms of arthritis are stiffness and aching, most often in the hands and wrists. Symptoms of arthritis can come and go and move from one joint to another. Pain and stiffness tend to be worse in the morning and improve as the day goes on. People with lupus can also experience pain in the joints without swelling or tenderness, which is referred to as arthralgia.
FEVERS
Most people with SLE experience unexplained fevers (temperature over 100°F (37.8°C). Physicians often recommend nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) (eg, naproxen, ibuprofen) and/or acetaminophen.
For more information regarding Lupus, please visit Lupus Research Alliance at http://www.lupusresearch.org
